France says no sign of virus rise after lockdown eased

France on May 11 eased its almost two-month lockdown in a bid to revive an economy clobbered by the epidemic. Health Minister Oliver Veran warned that it was too early to assess the impact of the easing. But he added there was so far no sign that the virus was regaining impetus. 'It takes at least 10 to 15 days for us to know if there is an impact on the epidemic,' he told reporters after a cabinet meeting, while noting that the numbers in hospitals and intensive care were continuing to fall. 'So we are not seeing a revival in the circulation of the virus, but that does not mean that the virus is not circulating,' he added.